Melba E.Shirey, 73, died Wednesday evening, January 21, 2009, in the Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home in Fort Wayne.
She was born on May 3, 1935 in Whitley County a daughter of Charles E. and Mary C. P. Gaff Schrader. Her formative years were spent on the family farm in Union Township and she was employed by the Blue Bell Corporation while attending the Coesse High School. After graduating with the Class of 1953, she started her employment with Lincoln Life in Fort Wayne, retiring July 1, 1992 as assistant vice president with thirty-nine years of service.
On September 8, 1956, she was united in marriage to Earl E. Shirey.
She was a member of the Columbia City Congregation of Jehovah’s Witness.
In addition to her husband, Earl, she is survived by a daughter, Melinda K. (Alan) Jung residing in Ohio; six brothers, Clifton W. Schrader, Grant Pass, Oregon, Jack E. (Maralee) Schrader, Columbia City, Roger A. (Lucy) Columbia City, Franklin (Betty Woodard) Schrader, Astatula, Florida, Otto Frederick (Dee) Schrader, Mesquite, Nevada and Richard L. (Sandy) Schrader, Surprise, Arizona; two sisters, Ellen M. Strong, Fort Wayne and Dottie (Lynn) Feller of Carmi, Illinois.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Gilbert A. Schrader.
In keeping with the wishes of Mrs. Shirey, there will be no visitation and a family service will be held at a later date.